Great Ideas For A Night Out In Hollywood

October 27, 2016 6:19 PM

(credit: Shutterstock)

Los Angeles is a whirlwind of trends, beautiful people, excess and attitude. And when people go out to let off a little steam, they hit Hollywood. Also known as Hollyhood and Hollyweird, it’s where a lot of the good stuff is. From shops to clubs to bars to restaurants and theaters, Hollywood lives up to its famous name and doesn’t disappoint. Locals have plenty of time to hit the hot spots, but if you’re here on vacation and are looking to make the most of a night out in Los Angeles, here’s a guide to a night out in Hollywood.

(credit: Doug M./Yelp)

Frolic Room
6245 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 462-5890

The Frolic Room is one of the most iconic bars in Los Angeles. An authentic dive bar that’s surprisingly hipster free, the Frolic Room is right next to Hollywood Pantages Theater and is the perfect place to grab a cocktail before a show. The cocktails are stiff and no frills, as is the personality of some of the bartenders and longtime patrons. Originally a speakeasy during the Prohibition, a photo of famous bar patron Bukowski over the cash register and the rumor that the Frolic Room was the last place the Black Dahlia was seen alive all add to the old school charm that makes it Hollywood’s favorite hangout.

If you like to have dinner before a show then one of the new dining hot spots on the Boulevard is Lost Property. The establishment is the epitome of cool and located on the infamous corner of Hollywood and Vine, just down the street from the theater. Open on Wednesday-Sunday from 6-2 a.m., stop in for an early dinner or a late night cocktail, or for any reason in between.

The Hollywood Pantages Theater opened its door back in 1912 as a vaudeville house and has been going strong ever since. The stage has held everything from “La Cage Aux Folle,” “West Side Story,” “Cats,” “The Lion King,” “Wicked,” “Rock of Ages” and dozens of others with more stage sensations on the way. Catching a show at the Pantages Theater is like immersing yourself in Hollywood history and always a great way to start a night out.

(credit: Nicholas A./Yelp)

No Name Club
432 N. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 651-1583

For the epitome of cool and mystique, the No Name Club is a Hollywood experience you don’t see in the movies. An anti-commercial Hollywood scene, the No Name Club is small but well laid out with exposed brick and heavy drapes. The crowd is laid back, the food is decent, but its the cocktails and celebrity sightings are the real draw. While there’s no velvet rope, you do need to be on the list to get in. You can do that easily by calling the club, but beware that getting someone to answer the phone is the real challenge. You’ll also want to make sure to dress appropriately, and absolutely no photos are to be taken inside.

From the newness of the No Name Club, there’s nothing like some old school rock ‘n’ roll to round out the night. The Rainbow Bar & Grill was a major hangout for rock and rollers in the 80s. Iconic bands like Poison, Guns ‘n’ Roses, LA Guns and many others played the clubs up and down the strip. And if they weren’t playing in the bars and clubs, they were hanging out in them. Some of them still do, although you may not recognize them now. Saturday night seems to be a throwback to the 80s without even trying. The tiny bar and the big tables in the dining room make it easy to see who’s there. The Pac Man and Centipede video games are an added bonus, so bring your quarters.